Rookie looks to rewrite ARCA history books

Seventeen-year-old rookie Erik Jones very nearly became the youngest ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards superspeedway winner in history at Pocono Raceway in June. If you're measuring, he was only about five car lengths shy at the final stripe.

Jones, in a Venturini Motorsports Toyota, erased a five second advantage between him and Chase Elliott over the final 15 laps and almost caught Elliott on the final lap. But almost isn't good enough in racing. Jones finished a career-best second, but the top prize went to Elliott, who won the race and became the youngest superspeedway winner in history.

"I think Chase just got too far out in front of us. I was doing everything I could to catch him at the end. I grabbed the wall a little bit. We were pushing it hard," said Jones.

"But all in all it was a great day. I learned a lot when it comes to these big tracks."

It's a good thing Jones learned a lot in his superspeedway debut at Pocono, because it should serve him well when the ARCA Racing Series returns to Pocono for the ModSpace 125 later today.

And there's more good news. Jones just happens to be a much younger 17 than Elliott is, which means he'll get one more shot to surpass Elliott's mark as the youngest superspeedway winner in history.

"Anytime you can accomplish a big goal like that, it's a big deal, no matter how young or old you are. It would mean a lot to hold the title as the youngest superspeedway winner in history, especially when you consider all the great drivers who have raced on these big tracks over the years. It would mean a lot to me; but it would mean a lot for a lot of people. It'd be cool for the Venturini family, my family and my friends."

And this time, Jones will have a head start on the "Tricky Triangle".

"I know I'll have a fast racecar, and I'll be a lot more comfortable. It took me most of the race to reach my comfort level last time, and that was after we tested all day a few days before. But it took me the entire race to get there, to get to my comfort zone," he said.

"When we go back, I really feel like I'll have more of an advantage, and I'll be able to give better feedback because I know more what to expect, and what I'm in for. I spent so much time learning the track, so I'll be that much more ahead of it when we go back."

Jones, with no experience at Pocono prior to the race in June, asked a lot of questions about the Pocono triangle.

"I got a lot of great advice. Kyle (Busch) helped me a lot. He gave me all the critical points on the track when it comes to entry and braking. He talked to be about how and when the track will change during a race, and where to pass," explained Jones.

"Brennan (Poole) helped me a lot too. He won the ARCA race for Venturini Motorsports last year, so he really understands this track, and gave me a lot of great advice. It all helps. If they've got time to talk with me about it, I've got time to listen."

Jones, no doubt, learned a lot, not only from Pocono winners Kyle Busch and Brennan Poole, but from himself, who went to school on the Pocono triangle.

"First of all, I learned what a fun track it is to drive. From my first laps on the track to my last, it was a blast. I also taught myself some valuable lessons. I learned in the test that if you make a mistake in one of the corners, it'll ruin your whole lap, and if it's a bigger mistake in the corner, it'll, not only ruin the lap, but take away part of the next.

"It's one of the most interesting tracks I've ever raced on, but also one of the most challenging. The experience I got last time out was so valuable. I don't know where else you can race and experience three different tracks in one lap. But if you can get your car handling in all three corners, it's so much fun to drive. We're coming back to try it again. I know we can win that race."

Jones, prior to his superspeedway debut at Pocono, finished third twice in 2012 in ARCA races at Winchester Speedway and Berlin Raceway at the age of 16. He also won the prestigious Snowball Derby late model race at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla., holding off his other boss, Kyle Busch, for the win. Right after the Snowball Derby victory, Busch hired Jones to drive his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series truck.

The ModSpace 125 Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell gets under way at 1:15 p.m. today. The ModSpace 125 race is scheduled to get the green flag at 5:15. The race is also live on SPEED at 5 eastern.

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